Written by

Kathleen Sebelius

Detroit Free Press guest writer

Kathleen Sebelius

As we wish our friends and family a happy, healthy new year, these words have renewed meaning in 2014.

This past Wednesday marked a new day in health care for millions of families and individuals throughout Michigan.

It’s now against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage or charge you more because of a pre-existing medical condition, such as diabetes, high-blood pressure, or asthma. And they can no longer drop you from coverage just because you get sick or get into an accident.

What’s more, insurance companies can no longer impose an annual cap on your health benefits. They can’t deny you coverage simply because you made a mistake on your paperwork. Most plans must now cover preventive services — such as cholesterol and cancer screenings — at no out-of-pocket cost. And, being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition.

It’s all thanks to the the Affordable Care Act.

If you do not have health insurance through your job, you have an opportunity to obtain quality, affordable coverage through HealthCare.gov, and you may even qualify for financial assistance to help lower the cost of your premiums.

The Health Insurance Marketplace has brought choice and competition to Michigan that were previously unavailable: In the Detroit area, you can choose from 50 qualified health plans.

As millions of Americans learn about their new options, they’re finding just how affordable health coverage can be under the new law. A family of four in Detroit earning $50,000 per year can obtain affordable coverage for as little as $115 per month (with premium tax credits).

Nationwide, 6 in 10 uninsured Americans can obtain coverage for as little as $100 a month or less.

By law, the plans offered on the marketplace must cover a set of essential benefits, including visits with doctors, prescription medications, hospital stays, ambulatory care, maternity and newborn care, and preventive services.

There are still three more months to enroll in affordable coverage — the deadline is March 31. Those who want health insurance to begin Feb. 1, will need to sign up by Jan. 15. You can enroll online at HealthCare.gov, by phone at 800-318-2596/TTY 1-855-889-4325, on paper, or directly through an insurer, agent or broker. You can also find in-person assistance in your own community at http://LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov.

This is a milestone for the many families who have waited too long for affordable health insurance because of a broken system that was stacked against them. Before the ACA, Americans could be dropped from coverage when they got sick, or locked out of the system if they had a health condition, or priced out in the first place because of their health status. Now, not only are there new rights and benefits, we are also seeing the slowest health care price inflation in 50 years.

Whenever I travel, I meet folks who tell me how long they’ve been waiting for the opportunity to obtain affordable coverage. Some have even been waiting their entire lives.